Washing machine capable of filtering foreign substances and washing method using the same

Abstract

A washing machine for washing laundry is disclosed herein and includes a washing tub which has a water inlet port through which washing water flows into the washing tub, a filter guide unit which is installed to cover the water inlet port and has a filter mounting portion comprising a set of grooves, a filter unit which is mounted on the filter mounting portion and has a first set of ribs and a set of second ribs which are provided at the lateral sides of the filter unit, and the set of grooves which is provided in the filter mounting portion and allows the set of second ribs to be fastened thereto. A washing method using the washing machine is also disclosed. Foreign substances such as dust or lint are removed from the washing water using the filter unit and foreign substances are prevented from attaching to the laundry.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine comprising:
 a washing tub comprising a water inlet port on an inner surface of the washing tub through which washing water flows into the washing tub;   a filter guide unit covering the water inlet port and comprising a filter mounting portion, wherein the filter mounting portion comprises a set of grooves on the lateral sides of the filter mounting portion; and   a filter unit removably coupled to the filter mounting portion and comprising:
 a first set of ribs on the lateral sides of the filter unit; and 
 a second set of ribs on the outer edge of the lateral sides of the filter unit, wherein the set of grooves is removably coupled to the second set of ribs. 
   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of ribs is coupled to the filter mounting portion when the filter unit is inserted between the lateral sides of the filter mounting portion. 
     
     
         3 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a catching projection disposed at an upper end of the filter unit; and   a catching groove disposed at an upper end of the filter guide unit and capable of receiving the catching projection.   
     
     
         4 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fixing projection disposed at a lower end of the filter unit and coupled to a lower side of the filter mounting portion.   
     
     
         5 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 rotary grooves disposed at a lower end of the lateral sides of the filter unit; and   rotary projections disposed at a lower end of the lateral sides of the filter guide unit, wherein the rotary grooves and rotary projections are coupled together to form a hinge.   
     
     
         6 . A washing method using the washing machine of  claim 1 , the washing method comprising:
 providing washing water to a washing tub;   filtering the washing water using a filter unit located on an interior surface of the washing tub; and   washing laundry using the filtered water,   wherein a first set of ribs on the filter unit is coupled to a filter mounting portion of a filter guide unit, and a second set of ribs on the filter unit is coupled to a set of grooves on the filter guide unit to prevent the washing water from leaking.   
     
     
         7 . A washing method, the washing method comprising:
 providing washing water to a washing tub;   filtering the washing water using a filter unit located on an inner surface of the washing tub; and   washing laundry using the filtered water,   wherein the washing machine comprises:
 a washing tub comprising a water inlet port on a surface of the washing tub through which washing water flows into the washing tub; 
 a filter guide unit covering the water inlet port and comprising a filter mounting portion, wherein the filter mounting portion comprises a set of grooves on the lateral side of the filter mounting portion; and 
 a filter unit removably coupled to the filter mounting portion and comprising:
 a first set of ribs on the lateral sides of the filter unit; and 
 a second set of ribs on the outer edge of the lateral sides of the filter unit, wherein the set of grooves is removably coupled to the second set of ribs to prevent the washing water from leaking. 
 
   
     
     
         8 . A washing machine comprising:
 a washing tub comprising a water inlet port on a surface of the washing tub which allows washing water to flow into the washing tub;   a filter guide unit covering the water inlet port and comprising a filter mounting portion, wherein the filter mounting portion comprises a first groove on a first interior surface of a first lateral side of the filter mounting portion and a second groove on a second interior surface of a second lateral side of the filter mounting portion; and   a filter unit removably coupled to the filter mounting portion and comprising:
 a first set of ribs; and 
 a second set of ribs adjacent to the first set of ribs on a first lateral side and a second lateral side of the filter unit, wherein the first and second grooves are removably coupled to the second set of ribs. 
   
     
     
         9 . The washing machine of  claim 8 , wherein the first set of ribs is coupled to the filter mounting portion when the filter unit is inserted between the lateral sides of the filter mounting portion. 
     
     
         10 . The washing machine of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a catching projection disposed at an upper end of the filter unit; and   a catching groove disposed at an upper end of the filter guide unit and capable of receiving the catching projection.   
     
     
         11 . The washing machine of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a fixing projection disposed at a lower end of the filter unit and coupled to a lower side of the filter mounting portion.   
     
     
         12 . The washing machine of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 rotary grooves located at a first lower end of the filter unit; and   rotary projections located at a second lower end of the filter guide unit, wherein the rotary grooves and rotary projections are coupled together to form a hinge.   
     
     
         13 . A washing method using the washing machine of  claim 8 , the washing method comprising:
 providing washing water to a washing tub;   filtering the washing water using a filter unit located on an interior surface of the washing tub; and   washing laundry using the filtered water,   wherein a first set of ribs on the filter unit are coupled to a filter mounting portion of a filter guide unit, and second set of ribs on the filter unit are coupled to grooves on the filter guide unit to prevent the washing water from leaking.